1. Mors Principium Est - love the guitarwork and key arrangements. Reminds me of a less overly busy Kalmah.2. Stam1na - wrote these guys off at first because of the 1 in the name, but super digging them. Enjoying the thrashy guitars and eclectic musical influences. 3............................ Amaranthe - Definitely guilty pleasure, they answer the question "what happens when you mix a few soilwork riffs with a europop song?". I appreciate the catchy hooks and the novelty.

Cruachan - I love this sort of folk music, it makes me happy and is fun to listen to. Also, here's hoping they bring kilts.Dalriada - Such a solid Cripper contender, I was SO surprised when I heard them!Gojira - Good and heavy, their slower tempo makes them a relaxing band to listen to.Orden Ogan - I didn't like them at first, but they really grew on me when I checked out their new album. Hoping they're as good live as they have the potential to be.Orphaned Land - You can see a bit of a theme here. I like me some good folk metal, and this has a middle eastern vibe to it that is a lot of fun.

I'm really glad that you enjoy MPE. Their sound is fantastic, I just want to share it with everyone

Cruachan - I love this sort of folk music, it makes me happy and is fun to listen to. Also, here's hoping they bring kilts.Dalriada - Such a solid Cripper contender, I was SO surprised when I heard them!Gojira - Good and heavy, their slower tempo makes them a relaxing band to listen to.Orden Ogan - I didn't like them at first, but they really grew on me when I checked out their new album. Hoping they're as good live as they have the potential to be.Orphaned Land - You can see a bit of a theme here. I like me some good folk metal, and this has a middle eastern vibe to it that is a lot of fun.

I'm really glad that you enjoy MPE. Their sound is fantastic, I just want to share it with everyone

Mors is kind of my big "holy crap, how have I never heard of these guys?" band. They're terrific, and I'd never heard of them before the cruisers started hyping them. Pain is another big one for me - I knew nothing of them before they were announced, but now they're a solid 2-setter if I can.

Other faves: Avatarium, Manegarm, Orphaned Land, and Ghost Ship Octavius. And I still gotta check out Dalraida

There were only 7 bands I was unfamiliar with before their announcement. Out of those, Witchtrap is the only one I liked. I didn't really care for the other 6 (Axxis, Cryptex, Dalraida, Stam1na, Total Death, Touch The Sun).

Draconian blew my mind when I first heard them. I've been really getting into doom metal since MDB, PL, and Katatonia introduced me to the genre last year, and I love the slightly more gothic-post-Nightwish-type-vibe they mix in a little bit. Had never heard of them before, and they've become my number one must see.

Serenity also surprised me, I wrote them off at first as a mediocre Kamelot knockoff when they are in fact a really fucking great Kamelot knockoff. I feel bad for them that between budget Kamelot, budget Nightwish, and budget Blind Guardian (Serenity, Xandria, and Orden Ogan, respectively) they are the only one who has to go up against the real thing :)

As for the rest, Avatarium really rocks hard, Orphaned Land, Dalriada, and Manegarm keep the folk metal side up nicely, and I figure Scar Symmetry is the closest thing to good metalcore we'll even get on the boat. There's been some great discoveries this year.

Danny24601 wrote:Draconian blew my mind when I first heard them. I've been really getting into doom metal since MDB, PL, and Katatonia introduced me to the genre last year, and I love the slightly more gothic-post-Nightwish-type-vibe they mix in a little bit. Had never heard of them before, and they've become my number one must see.

Serenity also surprised me, I wrote them off at first as a mediocre Kamelot knockoff when they are in fact a really fucking great Kamelot knockoff. I feel bad for them that between budget Kamelot, budget Nightwish, and budget Blind Guardian (Serenity, Xandria, and Orden Ogan, respectively) they are the only one who has to go up against the real thing :)

As for the rest, Avatarium really rocks hard, Orphaned Land, Dalriada, and Manegarm keep the folk metal side up nicely, and I figure Scar Symmetry is the closest thing to good metalcore we'll even get on the boat. There's been some great discoveries this year.

Scar Symmetry? Metalcore? When did that happen? They are Melodic Death/Prog Metal

Danny24601 wrote:Draconian blew my mind when I first heard them. I've been really getting into doom metal since MDB, PL, and Katatonia introduced me to the genre last year, and I love the slightly more gothic-post-Nightwish-type-vibe they mix in a little bit. Had never heard of them before, and they've become my number one must see.

Serenity also surprised me, I wrote them off at first as a mediocre Kamelot knockoff when they are in fact a really fucking great Kamelot knockoff. I feel bad for them that between budget Kamelot, budget Nightwish, and budget Blind Guardian (Serenity, Xandria, and Orden Ogan, respectively) they are the only one who has to go up against the real thing :)

As for the rest, Avatarium really rocks hard, Orphaned Land, Dalriada, and Manegarm keep the folk metal side up nicely, and I figure Scar Symmetry is the closest thing to good metalcore we'll even get on the boat. There's been some great discoveries this year.

Scar Symmetry? Metalcore? When did that happen? They are Melodic Death/Prog Metal

I said they were the closest thing :) Downtuned guitars with lots of chugging and staccato riffs, two singers; one who does harsh vocals and the other who does higher pitched, radio friendly cleans, and some electronic influence. You're right to categorize them as melodeath, but I still think they are closer to warped-core than any other band here except Amaranthe.

Mine would have to be Cruachan. I was in love with it pretty early. Im a huge fan of irish traditional music and irish history is pretty fascinating to me. Cruachan is like Primordial only with more traditional instruments. Typically im not crazy about folk metal, it really depends on the band. I think that they have a black metal back ground is part of what sets them appart. They arent a gimmick folk metal band with too many musicians.

Fuck yeah Cruachan is sick.

Im also happy with the Dalriada discovery.

Not that i didnt know them before i just forgot about Demolition Hammer. So maybe they count as a new band for me

I thought Dalriada was, like, a very well known band. Maybe I'm crazy.

So far, no real surprises for me. Nothing in the genres I listen to that's unknown, at least. I want to give a few that I've never heard of (Avatarium, Draconian, etc.) a listen but I already know I'm not the biggest fan of their style of music. But live shows - I'll listen to anything. So they could be worth a set or two.

Being my first cruise, I wasn't sure what to expect from the pre-cruise time, But shit, I've loved finding new bands thanks to the announcements and comments on the forum/FB page. It's been really amazing.

captaingabbeh wrote:Mors is kind of my big "holy crap, how have I never heard of these guys?" band.

Being my first cruise, I wasn't sure what to expect from the pre-cruise time, But shit, I've loved finding new bands thanks to the announcements and comments on the forum/FB page. It's been really amazing.

metalmaciejmetal wrote:Mine would have to be Cruachan. I was in love with it pretty early. Im a huge fan of irish traditional music and irish history is pretty fascinating to me. Cruachan is like Primordial only with more traditional instruments. Typically im not crazy about folk metal, it really depends on the band. I think that they have a black metal back ground is part of what sets them appart. They arent a gimmick folk metal band with too many musicians.

Fuck yeah Cruachan is sick.

Im also happy with the Dalriada discovery.

Not that i didnt know them before i just forgot about Demolition Hammer. So maybe they count as a new band for me

Not to jack the thread too much, but if you feel that way about Celtic folk metal, my friend knows these guys, they are at Metal Days every year and I think were able to get on the bill last summer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qjh0LssRm7Q The band name is Na Cruithne.

And if you like Primordial, there used to be Geasa which was good, don't think they're around still. There also Mael Mordha and Waylander. That's the most Irish folk metal I can think up for now.

metalmaciejmetal wrote:Mine would have to be Cruachan. I was in love with it pretty early. Im a huge fan of irish traditional music and irish history is pretty fascinating to me. Cruachan is like Primordial only with more traditional instruments. Typically im not crazy about folk metal, it really depends on the band. I think that they have a black metal back ground is part of what sets them appart. They arent a gimmick folk metal band with too many musicians.

Fuck yeah Cruachan is sick.

Im also happy with the Dalriada discovery.

Not that i didnt know them before i just forgot about Demolition Hammer. So maybe they count as a new band for me

Its funny because I really dig Irish-influenced folk music and folk metal so I was really excited by the concept of Cruachan, but my few attempts at listening to them left me kind of cold. What album/songs would you suggest I start with that might change my mind?

I had never heard of Cruachan before their announcement, but now they're on their way to becoming one of my favourite bands. I've also been really liking Nightmare, Avatarium, and Trauma, as well as listening to more Angra since I started with them a year and a half ago

I also have been unable to get into Cruachan. I like a lot of folk bands but I've never been able to enjoy black metal. If anyone wants to recommend a good Cruachan album to start with I'd be happy to try again.

Thanks for the suggestions, Sara. Im sure to give them a listen. Celtic music is just so magnificent. I like old irish drinking songs too.

Danny24601 wrote:Its funny because I really dig Irish-influenced folk music and folk metal so I was really excited by the concept of Cruachan, but my few attempts at listening to them left me kind of cold. What album/songs would you suggest I start with that might change my mind?

I endes up getting 4 of their albums. I would suggest The Middle Kingdom. Lots of excellent bodhrán, tin whistles and bag pipes. The album is heavy on celtic folk lore. Theres an amazing rendition of the old Gaelic song Óró sé do Bheatha Abhaile. Check this one out.

Thanks for the suggestions, Sara. Im sure to give them a listen. Celtic music is just so magnificent. I like old irish drinking songs too.

Danny24601 wrote:Its funny because I really dig Irish-influenced folk music and folk metal so I was really excited by the concept of Cruachan, but my few attempts at listening to them left me kind of cold. What album/songs would you suggest I start with that might change my mind?

I endes up getting 4 of their albums. I would suggest The Middle Kingdom. Lots of excellent bodhrán, tin whistles and bag pipes. The album is heavy on celtic folk lore. Theres an amazing rendition of the old Gaelic song Óró sé do Bheatha Abhaile. Check this one out.

Many bands I had never heard of (or just knew by name without ever listening to them) but for standouts I'd say Dalriada and Cruachan. I've really been getting into folk metal since a year or so ago after moving to Moldova as most of the good local (MD & RO) bands are, imho, the folk metal ones...

I'm a big Industrial fan & I really like Rock/Metal mixed with Electronic elements. I'm also a fan of solo-esque projects, like NIN & Rico, so this falls neatly into that category. Even Misery Loves Co. is predominantly just two guys and their 'your vision...' album was much more electronic based than their earlier stuff.

I'd prefer it if Pain was a bit heavier, but I'll settle.

Trollfest also seem bonkers, so they're cool, and although I knew them before the cruise, I've never really listened to much Annihilator before. - digging that.

I also think Powerglove are quite cool, as far as novelty 'nintendo-core' bands go. - I'll certainly check them out.

I love industrial metal, especially of the Neue Deutsche Härte kind like Rammstein, Megaherz, Eisbrecher, Oomph!, Heldmaschine, etc., but I could never get into Pain. They were disappointing when I saw them live at PPM Fest in 2014.

International Wishlist:-Accept-/-Amberian.Dawn-/-Amon.Amarth-/-Ancient.Bards-/-And.Then.She.Came-/-Arch.Enemy-/-Аркона-/-Avantasia-/-Battle.Beast-/-Battlelore-/-Beyond.the.Bridge-/-Blind.Guardian-/-Brothers.of.Metal-/-Dalriada-/-Dark.Sarah-/-Delain-/-Demons&Wizards-/-Diabulus.in.Musica-/-Die.Apocalyptischen.Reiter-/-Doro-/-Draconian-/-Dragonforce-/-Dragony-/-Dream.Theater-/-Eisbrecher-/-Eluveitie-/-Elvenking-/-Ensiferum-/-Equilibrium-/-Evenoire-/-Ex.Libris-/-Fejd-/-Finsterforst-/-Freedom.Call-/-Fylgja-/-Gloryhammer-/-Грай-/-Grailknights-/-Hammerfall-/-Heavatar-/-Heidevolk-/-Heldmaschine-/-Helloween-/-Ignea-/-Jaded.Star-/-Калевала-/-Kalmah-/-Korpiklaani-/-Lacuna.Coil-/-Magistina.Saga-/-MaYaN-/-Megaherz-/-Metsatöll-/-Moonspell-/-Månegarm-/-Невидь-/-Nightmare-/-Nightwish-/-Nine.Treasures-/-November-7-/-OOMPH!-/-Orden.Ogan-/-Powerwolf-/-Queensrÿche-/-Rage-/-Ragnaröek-/-Raubtier-/-Rhapsody.(any.edition)-/-Running.Wild-/-Sabaton-/-Saltatio.Mortis-/-Schwarzer.Engel-/-Serenity-/-Seven.Kingdoms-/-Seven.Spires-/-Skálmöld-/-Sleeping.Romance-/-Смута-/-Sonata.Arctica-/-Stahlmann-/-Subway.to.Sally-/-SuidAkrA-/-Svartsot-/-Symphony.X-/-Tarja-/-The.Privateer-/-Turisas-/-Twilight.Force-/-Týr-/-U.D.O.-/-Van.Canto-/-Vanden.Plas-/-Varg-/-Vika-/-Visions.of.Atlantis-/-Vogelfrey-/-Volbeat-/-VUUR-/-White.Shadow-/-Winterstorm-/-Within.Temptation-/-Xandria-

International Wishlist:-Accept-/-Amberian.Dawn-/-Amon.Amarth-/-Ancient.Bards-/-And.Then.She.Came-/-Arch.Enemy-/-Аркона-/-Avantasia-/-Battle.Beast-/-Battlelore-/-Beyond.the.Bridge-/-Blind.Guardian-/-Brothers.of.Metal-/-Dalriada-/-Dark.Sarah-/-Delain-/-Demons&Wizards-/-Diabulus.in.Musica-/-Die.Apocalyptischen.Reiter-/-Doro-/-Draconian-/-Dragonforce-/-Dragony-/-Dream.Theater-/-Eisbrecher-/-Eluveitie-/-Elvenking-/-Ensiferum-/-Equilibrium-/-Evenoire-/-Ex.Libris-/-Fejd-/-Finsterforst-/-Freedom.Call-/-Fylgja-/-Gloryhammer-/-Грай-/-Grailknights-/-Hammerfall-/-Heavatar-/-Heidevolk-/-Heldmaschine-/-Helloween-/-Ignea-/-Jaded.Star-/-Калевала-/-Kalmah-/-Korpiklaani-/-Lacuna.Coil-/-Magistina.Saga-/-MaYaN-/-Megaherz-/-Metsatöll-/-Moonspell-/-Månegarm-/-Невидь-/-Nightmare-/-Nightwish-/-Nine.Treasures-/-November-7-/-OOMPH!-/-Orden.Ogan-/-Powerwolf-/-Queensrÿche-/-Rage-/-Ragnaröek-/-Raubtier-/-Rhapsody.(any.edition)-/-Running.Wild-/-Sabaton-/-Saltatio.Mortis-/-Schwarzer.Engel-/-Serenity-/-Seven.Kingdoms-/-Seven.Spires-/-Skálmöld-/-Sleeping.Romance-/-Смута-/-Sonata.Arctica-/-Stahlmann-/-Subway.to.Sally-/-SuidAkrA-/-Svartsot-/-Symphony.X-/-Tarja-/-The.Privateer-/-Turisas-/-Twilight.Force-/-Týr-/-U.D.O.-/-Van.Canto-/-Vanden.Plas-/-Varg-/-Vika-/-Visions.of.Atlantis-/-Vogelfrey-/-Volbeat-/-VUUR-/-White.Shadow-/-Winterstorm-/-Within.Temptation-/-Xandria-

I'd say Demolition Hammer, and Ghost Ship Octavius. I already knew DH, but for some reason never gave them a chance before seeing they were going to be on the boat. Now, they're most likely going to be a 2-setter.